Find path to serenity, joy through Seon meditation
On Saturday afternoon, dozens of people sat on thick yoga mats and sipped tea in drizzle at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, hoping to unlock the gateway to serenity and joy amid the distractions of city life.
Choi Min-jae, 11, from Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, joined the outdoor meditation session to cope with school stress and pressure from academics.
"I usually meditate at home by watching YouTube videos and today's session was really helpful, and I hope to see more of these programs in Seoul," he told The Korea Herald.
Others turned to "sutra copying," a traditional Buddhist practice of carefully transcribing sacred texts by hand, as a way to quiet the mind, sharpen focus and cultivate mindfulness through the meditative act of writing.
Families and groups of friends took part in making lotus cup lanterns and mandala keyrings, which are symbols of purity, spiritual awakening and enlightenment in Buddhism.
The activities were part of "Happy Barami Seon Meditation Festa" held at Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday in celebration of the 70th anniversary of Lay Buddhist Association of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, which attracted some 7,000 participants.
Among those present were Jung Won-ju, president of the group representing lay Buddhists of the Jogye Order and the chairman of Daewoo E&C and Herald Media Group; the Ven. Jinwoo, president of the Jogye Order; Rep. Lee Hun-seung of People Power Party, who heads the National Assembly's Buddhist Association; Rep. Joo Ho-young of People Power Party; Rep. Kwak Sang-eon of Democratic Party of Korea and former South Korean Olympic chief Lee Kee-heung, who is now the executive director of the Buddhist Leaders Forum.
"This meaningful gathering is held to promote spiritual well-being in today's society through the practice of Seon meditation, to uphold the spirit of those seeking happiness and to bring the Buddha's teaching into everyday life," Jung said during Saturday's event.
"The quiet breaths and mindful hearts we cultivate here are never limited to personal peace. They extend to our families, our neighbors and beyond — even to society and the world — planting seeds that heal conflicts and foster lasting peace," he noted.
"In today's era of secularization and artificial intelligence, we must guide the spiritual growth of our people and, drawing on the wisdom and compassion of Buddhism, foster a society of harmony and coexistence that rises above conflict and division," Jung stressed, hoping to help address the issue with Seon meditation.
Rep. Lee also underscored that Seon meditation is a practice that "clears the mind and helps one find inner peace.
"The calm and insight cultivated through Seon meditation go beyond a fleeting sense of peace, helping us understand and show compassion toward others and society. I hope that today's experience will inspire and empower us to put the Buddha's teachings into practice in our everyday lives," Rep. Lee said.
Jinwoo, the head of the country's largest Buddhist sect here, underscored that practicing meditation is "to not be in pain."
"Every human being experiences suffering, and the only difference is the degree of that suffering. A being who experiences suffering is ordinary, while one who has transcended it is a Buddha. The Buddha confronted suffering and revealed a path to completely overcome it, showing that all beings can be freed from suffering," Jinwoo told participants.
"But that is not easy," Jinwoon noted, adding that chasing too much happiness can bring unhappiness, while seeking too much pleasure can lead to even greater sorrow.
"Everything we see, hear, smell, taste, feel or think arises from conditions and causes, so we should not become too attached to any of it," Jinwoo said.
"So, the first step is to calm the mind. And to achieve that, we need to practice Seon meditation continuously, moment by moment."
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